Over 500 local people visit Cusworth Hall for Diocesan celebration event

22nd July 2014

On Sunday, 20 July, over 500 people visited Cusworth Hall in Doncaster to take part in the Diocese of Sheffield’s centenary celebrations. It was a perfect setting on a hot and sunny afternoon for a host of outdoor activities.

Visitors took part in:

tours around the hall and museum;

workshops on circus skills and African drumming;

Micah’s Gang puppet theatre show;

teaching from the Bishop of Sheffield;

worship with the Centenary Singers;

face painting and storytelling; and

bouncy castle entertainment (which even the Bishops had a little go on!).

People of all ages also had the opportunity to meet the centenary artist in residence. He has been attending each event where he asks visitors to help create a large painting for the day. When the tour has completed, these painting will be joined together to make a large piece of artwork that will be displayed in key locations throughout the Diocese.

Doncaster Brewery’s special ‘Centenary Ale’ sold extremely well; as did the special label Henderson’s Relish. Centenary bags were given free to each visitor with a selection of free gifts inside.

The Bishop of Doncaster, the Rt Revd Peter Burrows, led a short act of worship at the event. This was held in a packed marquee, with a sound system relaying it to those that could not fit in. Speaking at the end of the event, Bishop Peter said:

“It has been an excellent afternoon with the best turnout yet to one of our centenary events. The African Drumming workshop and other activities were really popular and it looked amazing to be set to the very impressive backdrop of Cusworth Hall. These events really are for people of all ages, with lots to do and a great atmosphere all round. We are now looking to try and match this at the next event at Roche Abbey on 7 September!”

The Diocese of Sheffield is called to grow a sustainable network of Christ-like, lively and diverse Christian communities in every place which are effective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society and God’s world.